Several millers and animal feed manufacturers told Business Daily the neighbouring country stopped issuing permits last week, tightening the supply of the staple locally.
“We have been unable to get maize from Tanzania since last week after the country stopped issuing export permits to traders with the cutting off of stocks from Tanzania expected to push up the cost of flour,” said Ken Nyaga, the chairperson of the United Grain Millers Association.
John Gathogo, publicity secretary of the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers, said their members are unable to get stocks from Tanzania as well following the move that has seen processors cut down on production.
Millers are issued with a one-off permit for grain export from Tanzania and they need to apply for a new one every time they intend to ship maize out of that country.
Tanzania has for the last two years become a key source market for maize to bridge deficits especially after the two countries mended their trade ties with the change of regime last year following the death of former President John Magufuli.
Data from the Eastern Africa Grain Council shows imports from Tanzania nearly grew five-fold last year to 469,474 tonnes from 98,000 tonnes in 2020. The development has left processors jostling for stocks that are available locally and a few imports coming in from Zambia. Tanzania restricts exports to protect its local stock following poor harvests.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards…
I wish Ruto the best.
But like I said, he’ll have to wake everyone up to the reality of poor harvests as a result of drought that is expected to enter its fifth season.
And it’s not only in Kenya. It’s in Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia… countries that would’ve comfortably provided are protecting themselves first.
I wish we were serious about Galana-Kulalu.
Can’t happen in his generation or the next.
Food policy, like culture, can’t be waved away using some articulate speech or meticulously written notice.
It takes time and conscious decision by the mwananchi to change.
Well, well, ndugu
Welcome to reality.
The only way to “shukisha unga” is through subsidy. And subsidies are honestly not a good idea as seen from the mess going on in the fuel sector and the previous unga one.
Ikishuka I’ll be in the line though.
Tokeni Nairobi at least once a year and let it not be towards Thika Road. Kenya ni kubwa Sana.
70% of Kenya Maize comes from North Rift, Not Tanzania. Media in Nairobi find it had to think beyond 5k of CBD. Nairobi folks can’t think beyond a few Kms of their estates.
In October a good harvest is due in North Rift after heavy rains in the last 2 months. 3 months of rains June-July-August and it’s still raining in September. Once it’s harvested then prices will drop. There will be no market for imports.
Also buy maize from markets and take to posho mill. Even Nairobi ziko. What you eat as grade 1 packaged maize tastes like animal feeds to those who eat Maize original. Chemicals and preservatives Kwa wingi.
The DDT do not have a choice but to give the subsidy.
They cannot let the same haslas they promised to buy unga at 110 to suffer as they buy @ 350
Similarly since Epra will be announcing fuel prices a day after inauguration, they cannot let the prices hike. They will have to provide with the subsidy.
In other words… Something gotta give.
ile subsidies tumetumia kwa mafuta ni enough kuchimba kisima yetu huko turkana. Ile subsidies imeenda kwa unga siku kidogo kabla elections ni mingi kuliko budget ya ile project ya Galana-Kulalu. Kama wakenya hawataweza jilisha wachaneni na wao wakufe.
Urban people will be caught dead doing this.
But let’s be real. The honest issue is that Kenya can’t feed itself.
Those farmers at the North Rift are the ones that have been decrying low prices for their maize.
Fertilizer prices went through the roof and even as the government tried subsidizing, it wasn’t enough.
People are shifting to avocados, not maize brother. So, let’s not expect the best yet.
Tell Hustler to be serious about Galana-Kulalu, to actually build dams and put land into use by means of irrigation.
Hiyo mambo ya kuomba chakula nje hatutaki.